T.A. leaned forward. “So, has the hunk of burning love made his move yet?”
“Who?” Lily asked, dumbfounded.
T.A. rolled her eyes. “You know who I’m talking about. Shade.”
“Kind of.” ‘Hunk of burning love’ was not how she would describe Shade’s stern demeanor.
“What the fuck does that mean? Yes or no?” Crazy Bitch snapped.
“Well, we kissed last night,” Lily confided, embarrassed she was talking about something so intimate in front of her sister.
“You kissed?” Crazy Bitch asked, looking at her like she had lost her mind.
“Was it too soon?” Lily asked. The women at the table just stared at her then burst into hysterical laughter. Even Beth almost fell out of her chair when Killyama whacked her accidently with her elbow.
“What’s so funny?” Lily asked sharply.
“N…N…Nothing,” Sex Piston said, wiping the tears off her cheeks. “Beth, if I have a daughter, I’m sending her to live with you when she reaches puberty.”
“Hell, she damn sure doesn’t take after her sister. Beth gave up the whole shebang quicker than that.” Crazy Bitch slammed her beer down on the table.
“Shut up,” Beth hissed.
“You go, sister,” Sex Piston said, raising her hand for Lily to high-five. “Make the motherfucker work for it.” Lily lamely hit her palm against Sex Piston’s.
“Are you crazy? Why make him work for it? I’d have given it up before he asked for it. By the way, when you find out how far down those tats go, will you let us know? We’ve got a bet going,” T.A. confided, leaning sideways in her chair to whisper in Lily’s ear.
The food arrived, and Lily was glad when they settled down to eat. When the check arrived, Lily tried to take it to pay Beth back for some of the clothes, but Beth wouldn’t let her.
“I’ve got it.” She laid the card down on the ticket.
Lily glanced down, expecting to see either Beth or Razer’s name on the card; instead, it bore another name she recognized.
“He said to make sure you had a good time. Have you had fun?” Beth teased.
“Yes… but—”
“Don’t worry; he can afford a small dinner.” Beth patted her hand.
“But—”
“A few pairs of shoes, too,” Beth continued, her smile widening.
Lily hid her face in her hand.
“And a whole new wardrobe,” Beth finished, then teased, “I’m thinking he might deserve more than a kiss.”
Chapter 25
When Beth pulled her SUV into the parking lot of The Last Riders, cutting the engine, Lily sat relaxed in the seat next to her as Razer opened Beth’s door, helping her out. Her sister looked exhausted. Lily felt guilty knowing Beth had given a full morning working then spent the rest of the day shopping.
“I’m sorry you’re so tired,” Lily said, coming to Beth’s side.
“Don’t be ridiculous. I enjoyed spending the day with you. We haven’t done it in a long time.”
As Razer opened the back of the SUV, they all three stared at the small mountain of bags.
“I think we may have overdone it a bit,” Beth said jokingly, turning to Lily.
“You think?” Lily laughed. “I’m already planning on taking most of it back.”
“Don’t you dare,” Beth reprimanded her.
“She won’t,” Shade spoke up from behind them, reaching inside the vehicle to take several of the bags. Razer reached inside also, pulling out a large number for himself. Lily and Beth split up the remaining packages and then they all carried them up the steps to the house.
Lily watched as the men carried the packages up the steps to one of the rooms upstairs. Beth motioned Lily up to the room she had been in that morning, the nightgown she had worn still lying across the chair.
When they set the bags on the floor in front of the bed, Lily didn’t know what she was supposed to do with the clothes.
“I’ll see you at church in the morning.” Lily hugged and kissed her sister goodbye.
Razer gave her a tight hug. “Goodnight, lil’ sis.”
“Night, Razer.”
The door closed behind them.
“I’m not staying in the basement anymore?”
“No. If someone tries to hurt you again, they’ll have to get past every brother in the house with you up here.”
“I see.” She took a deep breath. “Beth told me at dinner that you paid for all this. I’ll pay you back.”
“No, you won’t, and you won’t take anything back. Quit worrying and go get your shower.”
Lily went to the bathroom, taking the gown. The bathroom wasn’t as large as the one in Shade’s room, but it was just as nice. The Last Riders were bikers who most definitely enjoyed their creature comforts.
She showered and washed her hair, blow-dried it then brushed it out. There had been at least six different shampoos and a whole smorgasbord of toiletries to choose from.